Green Talent taps into people power - and it's a social media initiative to shake up traditional career advice model
Green Talent, started in 2010 by the Eden Project, Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and RSPB, is excited to launch a new careers service to help bring young people and businesses together in a gaming arena.
The initiative takes an informal learning environment and uses social media to help inform young people about the world of employment and sustainable business.
Harnessing the skills of everyone
As people participate within the Green Talent forums, they earn points for helping others and get rewarded for their time. In doing so, the community draws on the knowledge and experiences of others to help guide people in a completely open and friendly way.
As well as the informal forums where young people and business can engage openly, the Green Talent web community provides a valuable learning resource for teachers and businesses.
Sim Stewart, co-founder and Managing Director of Cofacio, who collaborated on the development of the site, said: "We are delighted to work with Green Talent on this new initiative. Informal learning is a growing concept within education and development, and we are proud to be able to work on a new community-driven project that truly harnesses the knowledge of young people today."
Jobs in the low carbon and sustainable sectors are on the increase and Green Talent aims to bring people together to share ideas and experiences and provide valuable mentoring and advice for young people.
Gaynor Coley, the Eden’s Project Managing Director, said: "The next phase of Green Talent sees us taking this important partnership with RSPB and Kew forward to create the opportunity for young people to see how they can bring their relationship with the environment to the workplace and create a better future for all".
How the Green Talent project works:
1. Join the forum
Individuals set up a mini profile and tell the forum what they need help with.
2. Provide answers
Everyone’s an expert in something, so the forum encourages people to share their experiences to help others.
3. Find a mentor
People can browse the mentor map and look at profiles to find people who may be able to offer career help and support in a chosen field.
4. Support projects
As people take part and spend time in the forum they earn points that they can then donate to support a good cause.
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